Retrofit fence panels

ABSTRACT

A fence panel for attachment to an existing fence structure that includes: a front surface; a top border along the front surface; a first side border; a second side border on each respective side of the front surface; and a top sleeve extending horizontally from the top border. A plurality of bolts is preferably adapted to attach the fence panel onto an existing fence structure. The front surface includes a brick facade.

CROSS REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/857,601 filed on Sep. 17, 2015.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a panel covering that fits over an already existing fence or wall, thereby providing a different and improved look to a lawn barrier.

Description of Related Art

Homeowners are continuously looking for ways to improve the functionality and aesthetic appearance of their homes. A common outdoor addition or improvement is a fence to surround and create a barrier between neighboring lawns. When a new fence is erected neighboring homeowners must plan and decide what type of fence they want built, because each fence has two faces that is viewed and enjoyed on all sides of the enveloped lawn. Once decisions are made the construction and installation are performed to create a beneficial land barrier.

After some time the fence may wear or a new homeowner may want to change the look. When improvements are necessary or a new look is desired all of the surrounding neighbors must be consulted to decide look and costs. This is often time consuming and costly to get everyone to agree and contribute to the financial burden. If a consensus is not met, then the fence will simply remain as is unless one person decides and pays for everything.

Therefore it would be beneficial in the art to provide a way to change the look of a fence without having to completely destroy an old fence in order to erect a new one. It would also be desirable in the art to provide a customizable way to enable a homeowner to change their side of the fence without the costs associated with building a new one.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, the general purpose of the present invention is to provide a retrofit fence panel for attachment to an existing fence, configured to include all of the advantages of the prior art, and to overcome the drawbacks inherent therein.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a panel with the appearance of a wood panel fence or a brick wall that attaches to an already existing fence, thereby changing the entire look of the existing wall.

To achieve the above objects, in an aspect of the present invention, a fence panel for attachment to an existing fence structure that includes: a front surface; a top border along the front surface; a first side border; a second side border on each respective side of the front surface; and a top sleeve extending horizontally from the top border. A plurality of bolts is preferably adapted to attach the fence panel onto an existing fence structure. The front surface includes a brick facade.

These together with other aspects of the present invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part of this present invention. For a better understanding of the present invention, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a retrofit fence panel with mounting bolts in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a reverse view of the retrofit fence panel on a fence, where no claim is made to the fence.

FIG. 3 depicts a front view of the retrofit fence panel in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts a rear view of the retrofit fence panel in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 projects a perspective view of the retrofit fence panel in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 depicts the retrofit panel placed onto a fence, where no claim is made to the fence in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 depicts another front view of the retrofit panel in accordance with the present invention.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention relates to a panel covering that fits over an already existing fence or wall, thereby providing a different and improved look to a lawn barrier. The present invention provides a retrofit fence panel to easily install a wall façade to an existing fence. The retrofit fence panel is composed of a mounting panel with reinforced edging. The mounting panel is decorated to look like a wood panel fence or even a brick wall. Once all the retrofit panels are attached to the fence, the look of the front face of the fence is completely changed without having to destroy and rebuild a new fence.

FIG. 1 depicts a fence panel 100 in accordance with the present invention. The fence panel 100 attaches onto a fence 200 as shown in FIG. 1. The fence panel 100 is connected to the fence 200 through the use of a series of bolts 20 as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows the components separated so that a clear depiction of the function of the present invention is shown. The fence panel 100 includes a top border 52 and a side borders 51 a, 51 b. Each side border 51 a, 51 b includes a series of holes 53 a along the length of side border 51 a and holes 53 b along the length of side border 51 b. The front surface of the fence panel includes a brick façade 55 as shown in FIG. 1. Behind the top border 52, a top sleeve 50 is shown that fits over space between the posts of the fence 200 during use.

FIG. 2 shows the fence 200 with the fence panel 100 joined thereto. As shown from this angle, the top sleeve 50 is shown extending between the posts of the fence 200. FIG. 3 shows a front view of the fence panel 100 clearly depicting the brick façade 55 and top border 52. FIG. 4 depicts a reverse or inside view of the fence panel 100 on the inside view an interior surface 57 is shown with the sideboards 51 a, 51 b.

In reference to FIG. 5 a perspective view of the fence panel 100 is shown without depiction of a fence. FIG. 6 depicts the attachment of the fence panel 100 onto the fence 200 showing a panel side view of the connection between the fence 200 and fence panel 100. Finally FIG. 7 shows a front view of the fence panel 100 attached to the fence 200 in a direct front view of the fence panel 100. During use multiple panels may be used to cover an entire fence. The panels may be made from plastic, chemically treated compressed wood, vinyl, rubber or the like. The panels are preferably waterproof and weatherproof to prevent wear and further the lifespan of the panels.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

1. A fence panel for attachment to an existing fence structure comprising: a. a front surface; b. a top border along the front surface; c. a first side border on a first side of the front surface; d. a second side border on a second side of the front surface; and e. a top sleeve extending horizontally from the top border, wherein the top sleeve is adapted for placement over a wooden fence structure; and f. a plurality of bolts adapted to attach the fence panel onto the existing fence structure.
 2. (canceled)
 3. The fence panel according to claim 1, where the front surface includes a brick façade.
 4. The fence panel according to claim 1, where the front surface looks like a stone wall.
 5. (canceled)
 6. The fence panel according to claim 1, where the fence panel is waterproof.
 7. The fence panel according to claim 6, where the fence panel is made from one of at least vinyl, plastic, chemically treated compressed wood or rubber.
 8. A system of fence panels to cover a one side of an existing fence structure comprising: a plurality of fence panels, wherein each fence panel includes a front surface; a top border along the front surface; a first side border on a first side of the front surface; a second side border on a second side of the front surface; and a top sleeve extending horizontally from the top border, wherein the top sleeve is adapted for placement over a wooden fence structure, and each fence panel is aligned adjacent to one another to cover the existing fence structure. 